12 juin 2012

Eric Cantona calls Release of Palestinian Mahmoud Sarsak

A letter signed by Eric Cantona calling for the release of
Palestinian footballer, Mahmoud Sarsak has been sent to Sports Minister
Hugh Robertson and UEFA President Michel Platini.

The letter read as follows:

We are all shocked at the racist chanting at football matches in
Poland and Ukraine where Euro 2012 is being played. Footballing bodies
and politicians have been outspoken in their condemnation. Indeed some
government officials are boycotting group stage matches in Ukraine
because of perceived human rights abuses in that country.
So why are these same groups silent when Israel is to host the
U.E.F.A. Under 21s competition in 2013? Racism, human rights abuses and
gross violations of international law are daily occurrences in that
country.
Israeli government ministers respond to mob attacks on black refugees
by denouncing them as 'infiltrators' and calling for them to be
imprisoned in military camps.
Israeli jails house around 4,000 Palestinian political prisoners,
more than 300 of them "administrative detainees" held without charge or
trial. One of these is a footballer from Gaza, Mahmoud Sarsak, aged 25.
He has been imprisoned for nearly three years. No charge, no trial. In
desperation, he has been on hunger strike for more than 80 days and is
now close to death. He, and all victims of abuse by the Israeli state,
need our support.
It is time to end Israel's impunity and to insist on the same
standards of equality, justice and respect for international law that we
demand of other states.'

The letter was coordinated by the Red Card Israeli Apartheid Campaign.
Shamiul Joarder said "it is great to have a football legend join the
call from cultural and academic figures in support of Mahmoud, a
Palestinian footballer from Gaza."
Mr. Joarder also said ''We also welcome the support from 'Show Racism the Red Card' coming days after the World Professional Football Association FIFPro support for Sarsak last week, which demanded that Mahmoud be released from prison.'

ZURICH — FIFA President Sepp
Blatter has called on Israel soccer leaders to “urgently” help a
Palestine player on hunger strike in Israeli custody.
Blatter has written to the Israel Football Association of his
“grave concern” after receiving reports that “several Palestine football
players have allegedly been illegally detained.”

Blatter asks IFA President Avi Luzon to intervene with Israeli
authorities with “utmost urgency” because of the “alarming situation”
facing Mahmoud Sarsak.

Sarsak is reported to have been on hunger strike for almost three months.

Palestine officials and global players’ union FIFPro says Sarsak has been held without trial since 2009.
They say he was stopped at a Gaza Strip checkpoint while traveling to an international match.